This report describes the findings from a short pilot study undertaken in 2025 by the Institute of Public Care at Oxford Brookes University (IPC) and the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, supported by the Nuffield Family Justice Observatory. Many local authorities in England have long been aware of differences between the relative proportions of children from different ethnic backgrounds in their general population, those who are in need, those who require safeguarding and those who are subject to care proceedings.
This pilot project has helped us explore better ways to support children and families from different ethnic backgrounds. It has allowed us to understand the various factors that can affect a family’s wellbeing and their ability to cope with challenges and build resilience.
